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The music videos for the Advent calendar will appear here, each on its appointed day, from the 1st to the 24th of December.

«I am a Ioly foster»
Carol – anonymous (copied c. 1510–1520)
From «Nowell, nowell» 29.11.20
Basel Historical Museum, Barfüsserkirche
Grace Newcombe – Voice
Marc Lewon – Plectrum lute
Rui Stähelin – Plectrum lute
Musical director: Grace Newcombe
Live concert recording: Oren Kirschenbaum
Moderated by Grace Newcombe and Marc Lewon

I am a Ioly foster (anon., copied ca. 1510–1520)

Picture: Wild men on a stag hunt;
Tapestry, Basel c. 1468. Basel Historical Museum. © Peter Portner

I am a Ioly foster
and have ben many a day
[and] foster will I be styll
for shot ryght well I may
Wherfor shuld I hang up my bow
Upon the gren wod bough
I cane bend [and] draw a bow
And shot well enough
I am a Ioly foster ...
Wherfor shuld I hang up myne arrow
Opon the gren wode lynde
I have strength to mak it fle
[And] kyll both hard and hynd
I am a Ioly foster ...
Wherfor shuld I hang up my horne
Upon the gren wod tre
I can blow the deth of a dere
As well as any that ever I see
I am a Ioly foster ...
I am a jolly forester
And have been for a long time
And I will stay a forester
For I can shoot well.
Why shoud I hang my bow up
On a forest branch?
I can bend and draw a bow
And shoot well enough.
I am a jolly forester...
Why should I hang up my arrow
On the linden tree?
I have the strength to make it fly
And to kill both the hart and the doe.
I am a jolly forester...
Why should I hang up my horn
On a forest tree?
I can herald the death of a deer
Better than anyone else.
I am a jolly forester...
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The Video will be released each day at 17:15, with optional English subtitles.
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